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I saw a nice tsn at the lfs. I am thinking of getting him for my pond. I am just starting the stocking for this pond. So far I have 3 pink kissing gouramis, 1 pangasius cat, 2 common plecs, 1 black shark, 3 bala sharks. Will the tsn be ok with this mix? All of the fish are 5" - 7". The TSN is about 5". The pond is 11 x 16 x 3. Also, I can add some jaguar guapote but haven't decided on those.

temporarily it would probably be fine, but...we're talking a fish that's going to hit nearly 4 feet, and an ambush predator with a big mouth to boot... the gouramis would likely end up in his stomach, my guess is the black shark as well, and depending on the growth rates of the fish, it's possible the balas too.

That said... a pond the size of yours is almost certainly the best possible outcome for the TSN, probably more likely to be bound for someone's 55 or something... so, it may be worth a chance.

You are probably right about the gouramis. The black sharks grow extremely fast and get about 2 feet so I think that will be fine. I have had him for 5 months and he has grown 5-6" and is pretty robust as well. The gouramis grow really slow. I was also thinking giraffe catfish but haven't seen any locally. They are gorgeous.

I must be thinking of a different species, you wouldn't happen to have the species name, would you?

Labeo chrysophekadion. That is often the problem with common names. Will the TSN actually kill the prey and eat it or just eat it if it fits in his mouth? The balas are currently about 6" and I have had them for about 5 months. They were 1.5" when I got them. I like the Auchenoglanis occidentalis as well, but I haven't seen one around here and I'm not sure their availability in the US. According to PC, they get to around 3' as well. I have seen some RTC's but I have heard they are very predatory. I wish there was a larger selection of cats around here.

Auchenoglanis is readily available in the US, if you know where to look. PM me if interested.

Check what the LFS is feeding the TSN. Sometimes they need to be weaned off live feeders, which can be a long process. In general, they won't bother anything they can't fit in their mouths.

A better choice might be the Common shovelnose, Sorubim lima, which is smaller and quickly learns to take frozen and prepared foods. You can have two or three, if introduced as youngsters.

Black sharks can be real terrorists when they get big, I've heard.

Auchenoglanis are peaceful and tame, but terrible for digging.

If the quaramis will be eaten than the ballas deffinately will,and before the quaramis too,they may be long but they are like a cigarette instead of a playing card. If i was you i would ditch the quarami, the balas,the pangasius and get a tsn or two and some more large plecos. A cool settup would be a tsn,a juruense,a tigrinus,and some big mid level swimmers. Good luck with it either way,and we expect to see pictures

brianfl wrote: I was also thinking giraffe catfish but haven't seen any locally. They are gorgeous.

brain, Benny's Tropical in Pembroke Pines has Giraffee cats, TSN have veyr big mouths and can eat anything that can fit in their mouth,,so be very careful,,

Thanks. I will check out Benny's.

Zack,

At least intially, I will probably go as is and add a giraffe cat. I do like your idea, but doubt I could afford a Tigrinis. I will get some pics once everything is settled. I think we will be putting the yard together this weekend with 40-50 SA plants.